Fertilizer distributor



' Aug. 2, 1932. 1 A MCKAY ET AL C 1,869,820

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed May 27, 1930 gru/wanton Patented Aug. 2, 1932 JOHN A. MCKAY AND PATRICK H. LYNCH, orfDunn,"Nomura CAROLINA,

FERTILIZER prenaient-ort Application filed May 27,r

This invention relates to fertilizer distributors or the like, and more particularly to machines of this character which are adapted for distributing fertilizer in a single row.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide improved gearing for driving the hopper discharging mechanism and an improved housing for such gearing, as well as to devise other practical details of construction.

In order that the invention'may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an inverted fragmentary plan view of a machine constructed in accordance Y wih our invention, parts being in section; an

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, parts being-in section.

Referring to the drawing in detail, our improved machine comprises a pair of longitu dinally extending frame members 1 secured together at their forward end and connected to a pull iron 2.

Supported between the frame members 1 is a casting 3 constituting the bottom of a sheet metal hopper `10. This hopper bottom 1s provided with a discharge slot 4, extending transversely across the same but disposed at an angle to the axis of the machine, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The effective width of the slot and the rate of dischar e of material therefrom is controlled by a sliing cut-off 5, connected by links 6 to a swinging bail 7, having at one side a handle or lever 8 extending upwardly along the hopper and arranged to engage a locking rack 9.. This sliding cutoff and associated parts is the same as that disclosed in our copending application, Serial No. 456,193, filed of even date herewith.

Near the forward end of the frame of the machine is a ground wheel 11, rigidly secured to a shaft 12` journalled at one end in a bearing bracket 13, bolted to one of the frame members. The otherend of the shaft 12 is journalled in a combined bearing bracket and housing section 14 of substantially circular shape, having an `upper portion 1930."Y sriai Nd. 456194.,

which is bolted' to the other frame member 1,

- by meansof bolts l15 and 16. l

At the rear'sidfe of 'the housing section 14,

j there is formed a' half bearing'1 inwhich the Yforward endof a shaft 18 is j'ournalled `T055 this shaft, inside ofthe housing section 14, is'secured a bevelled pinion 19, which meshes twith a bevelled gear-20' detachablysecured directlyl to the ground wheel'll, as by means Y of bolts 21.`

We vregard this method of detachably` connecting this'gear to the ground wheel 'as a distinct advantage over'the .com-

`mon method of casting such'gear integral with the wheel, becauseour improved construction permits of 'readily'renewing the @5 gear, should it become broken or worn Y' Positioned' outside of the housing Vsection 14 and secured thereto by bolts 16 and 23 (see Figure v2) is another housing section or cover plate 22, of suchfsize and construction as to completely enclose the pinion 19. The rear of this housing section or cover plate is shaped at 22n to form another half bearing for the shaft 18. Thus, this shaft is journalled in a bearing formed jointly by the"T5 two housing sections 14 and 22.

By reference to Figure 1, it will be particularly noted that the forward surface of the housing section or cover plate 22, which projects laterally beyond the frame member 1, A is inclined and extends outwardly and rearwardly so as to present a diagonal or bevelled surface. With a housing shaped in this way, it is obvious that should an obstruction, such as a stump or the like, be encountered, as the machine travels along, such obstruction will engage this inclined surface 22 and thus either the obstruction or the machine will be deflected to one side, whereby breakage or damage is avoided.

The rear end of the shaft 18 is journalled in a bearing 24 carried by the hopper bottom 3 and to the end 'of the shaft inside the hopper is secured a feeding disc or the like 25. This is disposed directly over the slot 4 and 95 preferably lies substantially in the same plane. By reference to Figure 1, it will be observed that the shaft 18 is also angularly disposed relative to the center line of the machine, such an arrangement resulting fromlrlfOO the type of driving gearing which we employ.

What we claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a frame comprising a pair of longitudinally extending members of a shaft supported thereby, driving means for said shaft vcomprising a ground wheel and gearing associated .therewith on one side thereof, and a. housing for said gearing cornprising a main section and a cover plate therefor, connected thereto and 'substantially coextensive therewith, said section and Aplate together forming a bearing for said shaft, said main section being bolted `directly to .one of said frame members, and a shaft to which said' ground wheel is rigidly secured journalled in said lastzmentioned housingsection.

2. In a machine ,of the class described, the oombination fwith a frame, of a shaft sup- I,ported ftherebyydriving means for said shaft compri-emga ground wheel and gearing assoeiated therewith and a housing vfor said gearingeomprisingfa main section `and a cover plate therefor, connected thereto and substantially coextensive therewith, said section and :plate forming .-a bearing for -said shaft, said housing proJecting laterally, and having a `relatively long inclined forward face, whereby when any :obstruction is en- -oountered as the machine moves along, either the obstruction or `the rmachine is deflected.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

JOHN A. MGKAY. PATRICK H. LYNCH. 

